Concept
Black Death
Overview
The Black Death was a plague pandemic that occurred in Europe from 1346 to 1353. It was one of the most fatal pandemics in human history, leading to the death of up to 50 million people, or 50% of Europe's 14th-century population. The disease was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is primarily spread by flea bites, though it may also spread through contact with infected tissues or fluids and, in pneumonic cases, through respiratory droplets.
The Black Death had far-reaching population, economic, and cultural effects. It has been tentatively considered as the second plague pandemic, despite each of these outbreaks being separated by around 500–600 years.
The Black Death was the second great natural disaster to strike Europe during the Late Middle Ages (the first one being the Great Famine of 1315–1317) and is estimated to have killed 30% to 60% of the European population and approximately 33% of the Middle Eastern population. There were further outbreaks throughout the Late Middle Ages. Due to the crisis of the late Middle Ages, the European population did not regain its 14th century level until the 16th century. Outbreaks of the plague recurred around the world until the early 19th century.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
White phlegm, which is dangerous if kept in, by reason of the air bubbles, is not equally dangerous if able to escape through the pores, although it variegates the body, generating diverse kinds of leprosies. If, when mingled with black bile, it disturbs the courses of the head in sleep, there is not so much danger; but if it assails those who are awake, then the attack is far more dangerous, and is called epilepsy…
Plato, Timaeus
States what Black Death is.
Stopp’d in the tumult Cleobulus lies, Beneath Oïleus’ arm, a living prize; A living prize not long the Trojan stood; The thirsty falchion drank his reeking blood: Plunged in his throat the smoking weapon lies; Black death, and fate unpitying, seal his eyes. Amid the ranks, with mutual thirst of fame, Lycon the brave, and fierce Peneleus came; In vain their javelins at each other flew, Now, met in arms, their eager…
Homer, The Iliad
Opens on Black Death; names Black Death.
The fifth trumpet sounded to the wars, which the _King of the_ South, as he is called by _Daniel_, made _in the time of the end_, in _pushing at the King who did according to his will_. This plague began with the _opening of the bottomless pit_, which denotes the letting out of a false religion: the _smoke which came out of the pit_, signifying the multitude which embraced that religion; and the _locusts which came…
Isaac Newton, Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John
States what Black Death is.
Philosophers who discussed Black Death
Related ideas
- Fall of Constantinople
- Feudalism
- Florence
- Afterlife
- Homer
- India
- Aleppo
- Jerusalem
- Justinian I
- Algiers
- Smallpox
- Byzantine Empire
- The Wall Street Journal
- Latin
- Lebanon
- Antibiotic
- Madagascar
- Moscow
- Islamic world
- Middle East
- Yuan dynasty
- Mainz
- Mecca
- Astrology
Place in the tradition
Part of British philosophy.